Copenhagen Castle, Medieval castle ruin in central Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen Castle is a medieval ruin located on Slotsholmen islet, where Christiansborg Palace now stands on the former castle grounds in the city center. The remaining foundations lie beneath and beside the modern palace structure that occupies the same site.
King Eric of Pomerania seized the castle from the Bishop of Roskilde in 1417 and made it the primary royal residence of Denmark. The fortress declined in importance as monarchs later moved to other palaces, and the structure was eventually abandoned in the early 1700s.
The Blue Tower of Copenhagen Castle functioned as both a defensive wall and a prison, showing how medieval strongholds served multiple purposes. Today you can still see how such structures represented authority and control over the city.
The ruins are easily accessible and located near multiple public transit hubs in the city center, making them reachable by bus or metro from anywhere in Copenhagen. Keep in mind that many remains lie beneath the current palace, so access to the site is limited and viewing depends on what restoration work or exhibits are available.
The castle's enormous weight caused the foundations to sink so badly in the 1720s that King Frederik IV attempted a complete reconstruction, which ultimately failed. This led to the structure's demolition in 1731 and its replacement with a new palace.
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